News and commentary from the world of neurology and neuroscience

Some 6 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment, according to a new estimate. That number is expected to rise to 15 million by 2060, researchers reported in Alzheimer's & Dementia. The authors also estimate the current burden of people living with "preclinical" Alzheimer's disease, which includes amyloidosis, neurodegeneration, or both, is nearly 47 million.

What's a fair price for deflazacort in Duchenne muscular dystrophy? Two experts argue it would be 3 to 5 times that of prednisone, which sells for $150 to $1,000 a year based on insurance coverage -- not its current $35,000 price tag. (JAMA Neurology)

Bioethicists enumerate the ethical challenges of providing nusinersen to children with spinal muscular atrophy, with cost and limitations of the evidence at the top of the list. Vinay Prasad, MD, of Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, has an accompanying commentary. (JAMA Pediatrics)

Atraumatic needles beat the conventional kind when it comes to lumbar puncture, particularly in terms of fewer headaches and fewer returns to the hospital for additional treatments, according to a review & meta-analysis. Editorialists urge physicians to make the switch. (TheLancet)

The FDA cleared Boston Scientific's Vercise deep brain stimulation system for use in Parkinson's disease, following positive data from the INTREPID and VANTAGE studies, the company announced. It says the device is the smallest rechargeable DBS system available in the U.S., and battery life can be more than 15 years.

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